Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2330 will hold an information picket on Saturday, December 16 at the Valley View Villa nursing home in Stellarton. The workers would like to share their concerns about the effects the facility’s $1.5 million budget shortfall may have on residents’ quality of life, in addition to budget cuts made by the provincial government.

“In order to bring the nursing home’s finances under control, management are making cuts and changes that include reducing the resident-to-staff ratio,” says Peter Baxter, CUPE national representative. “That includes scheduling less staff on weekends, not replacing staff who require time off, and laying off staff who provide vital services – such as continuing care assistants, kitchen staff, maintenance and environmental services.”

“Workers are concerned these changes will put an additional burden on staff and directly affect the quality of care, such as the types of meals provided and limited cleaning,” says Rose Best, CUPE 2330 acting president, representing workers at the nursing home. “That’s a serious issue, especially during flu season.”

The workers are asking the public to contact their MLA and Minister of Health and Wellness Randy Delorey. All those concerned should ask the Department of Health and Wellness to step in to resolve the management and budget deficit and ask that provincial budget cuts to long-term care be reversed.